Elizabeth Armstrong

Elizabeth (Betty) Armstrong (nee Miller), peacefully bid the world farewell on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. Born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1930, Betty was amongst thousands of children evacuated during the war – the first of many of her adventures.

Her professional journey began on D-Day at the tender age of 14. She was a comptometer operator assisting in financial audits for an accounting firm owned by the Duke of Northumberland. Known in the firm as "Miss Miller" Betty thrived in the camaraderie of Tyne-side life, earning a reputation for both diligence and a mischievous sense of humor. When not working – Betty was known as spirited piano player – with a mean Boogie-woogie.

In her early twenties, Betty met and married Henry Willson (Darryle) Armstrong, a Canadian electrical engineer who was in Newcastle teaching at a local university. The newlyweds first settled in Menihek, 110 miles north of Labrador City where Darryle worked on a power dam. Commuting by helicopter, life in Menihek offered new adventures to a young girl from Newcastle.

Montreal became their next home, witnessing the arrival of their first children Stuart and Allyson. The couple's adventurous spirit then took them to India for two years, a time that left an indelible mark on her, influencing her style and outlook on life. Returning to Montreal (her favourite Canadian city), she continued expanding her family with the additions of Sharon and Melanie, all while generously sharing her creative energy as a volunteer art teacher.

After a brief interlude in Toronto, Betty and Darryle retired to Vancouver, where she embraced a daily routine of extensive walks, often surpassing 10 km. The day concluded with a well-deserved, slightly warm beer on the porch overlooking Falsecreek, surrounded by family – she was British after all!

Her final years in Toronto were spent staying absorbed with current events and engaging in lively discussions about the news of the day with her daughter Sharon.

With a spirit marked by humor, intelligence, determination, and a love for music (a piano featured in every home!), Betty leaves behind cherished memories. Predeceased by her husband Darryle, her daughter Allyson and siblings Margaret, Jim, and Alfred, Betty will be deeply missed by surviving children Stuart (and Lorraine), Sharon (and Art), Melanie (and John), as well as grandchildren Erin, Jason, Sararose, and Johnmarcus, along with great-grandson Kieran.

Rest peacefully, Mom. Your legacy of love and laughter lives on in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Doctors Without Borders, a cause close to Betty's compassionate heart.